In the city of Ahangaran, Tashkent region, the textile company Trend
Tex, specializing in the production of children’s and women’s clothes, has
started its work.

Ahangaran is one of the major
industrial centers of the region, there are more and more enterprises producing
and exporting finished products from local raw materials.

“Based on the priorities set by the
President of our country during his trip to the Tashkent region this January, a
special program was developed to organize new facilities in the city,” said N.
Nurbayev, the first deputy mayor of the city of Ahangaran for economic
development and entrepreneurship. “In accordance with the program, 11 projects
will be implemented this year, more than 1,800 new jobs will be created. To
date, two projects have already been realized, including the Trend Tex
project.”

It is planned that 80% of the
enterprise’s output will be exported. It is equipped with modern sewing
machines; there are sewing, ironing and packing shops. At the enterprise 180
persons are provided with work, for them all necessary conditions are created.

“Under the project, the company is
designed for 500 employees,” said the manager of affairs M. Abdurahimov. “With
increasing production volumes, these vacancies will be filled. At present,
unorganized youth, those in need, and the unemployed have been hired. In
particular, five people from low-income families and three with a disability
are employed.”

In the sewing complex, a cozy dining
room, hot meals and transport services are organized for workers and staff.

“I graduated from college with a
profession as a tailor-designer,” says the young seamstress N.Kurbanalieva.
“There are many seamstresses of my age in our mahalla. Therefore, the opening
of the enterprise was very useful. I am happy that I work in my profession.”

Tashkent hosted an international
conference on “Reforms and prospects in electric power industry: experience and
conclusions”, in cooperation with the Joint Stock Company “Uzbekenergo” and the
Asian Development Bank.

It should be noted that this conference dedicated to the energy sector
is being held in Uzbekistan for the first time. It was attended by heads of
electric power holding companies of Central Asia and Afghanistan, experts of
the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development,
representatives of global consulting companies.

Participants exchanged views on such issues as reforming and
streamlining tariff policy in the industry, stimulating investment. They also
dwelled on the experience of different countries in this direction.

According to Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC “Uzbekenergo” Jahongir
Obidjonov, within the framework of implementation of relevant decrees and
resolutions of the President of the country, JSC “Uzbekenergo” and the Asian
Development Bank are planning to invest 1 billion 700 thousand dollars. In the
future, ADB is planning to finance projects worth $1 billion.

Another innovation in this filed is the fact that in the country new
steam and gas installations have been launched to increase the efficiency of
electricity production with participation of the Asian Development Bank, the
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other financial institutions,
leading companies at territorial TPPs. Now a combined-cycle plant with a
capacity of 478 MW operates in Navoi TPP, in Talimarjan TPP with a capacity of
900 MW, and in Tashkent TPP with a capacity of 378 MW.

Conclusions and proposals on the essence and significance of reforms in
the energy sector of the Central Asian countries, experience accumulated in the
industry, prospects for cooperation in the field of electricity transit in the
region were heard at the plenary sessions.

A bulky shipment of drugs has been
intercepted; trader of illicit substances under custody; scientists are
reported to have invented new methods of prevention and treatment of drug
addiction… One can encounter such news in the world media quite frequently. Does
it mean that the problem is under control?! By no means, unfortunate as it is.

The contemporary world has faced a whole range of evils, many of which
the humanity has learned how to counter or to put up with, yet there is one
that glooms the most glittering picture of life in even advanced nations of the
world. It is a problem of mounting drug addiction among people.

For half a century till now, the world community has been working out
and implementing – seemingly successfully – diverse national and global
programs on this front. Thus, back in 1961, the UN adopted the Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which stressed that the problem requires urgent
and priority attention. And in the Declaration against Illicit Drug Trafficking
and Drug Abuse inked in 1984, the whole conglomeration of issues from illicit
production and trafficking to abuse is called a “shameful and disgusting
crime”. In 1987, the UN General Assembly, in a sign of determination to boost
cooperation towards the creation of a society free from drug addiction, decided
to mark 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking. Yet despite all these efforts, the turnover of drugs has only been
growing, so has the number of drug addicts. Moreover, people have been innovative
enough to come up frequently with new types of narcotic substances.

According to the World Drug Report,
at least one drug has been taken by every twentieth adult, suggesting a total
of a quarter of a billion people between the ages of 15 and 64, which is almost
the same as the population of Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and France
combined. Drug use continues to have a devastating impact on human health: it
is estimated that more than 29 million people who use drugs suffer various
disorders, including 12 million people who inject drugs, 14% of whom live with
HIV.

Unfortunately, Afghanistan remains the world’s major illicit drug
producer. According to a survey on drug trafficking in 2017, the cultivation of
opium in Afghanistan reached a record level of about 328,000 hectares, which is
a 63% increase from that in 2016.

The situation creates scores of problems for the country and especially
its neighbors. Uzbekistan is located on the “northern route” used by Afghan
drug producers to smuggle drugs into Europe. Reducing trafficking is
unprofitable for terrorists who rely on proceeds from that trade. Law
enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan are bolstering security throughout Central
Asia. An important part of the fight against drugs is interaction with international
organizations, in particular, there is close cooperation with UNODC (the UN
Office on Drugs and Crime) in matters related to ensuring border security.

The UNODC Regional Representative
for Central Asia, Ashita Mittal, has told UT about the joint efforts undertaken
on this front and how effective it has proved thus far.

- Ms. Mittal, you have been working in Uzbekistan for a few years. What
can you tell us proceeding from your observations?

- The government of Uzbekistan has been spearheading significant work in
confronting all forms of drug crime. Such efforts include monitoring container
transport and strengthening law and order. The Uzbek authorities annually burn
mountains of seized drugs in Tashkent on the occasion of the International Day against
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – June 26.

Over the past 10 years, the volume of confiscated heroin in Central Asia
has declined by 52%. More than half of the drugs seized by Uzbek authorities
were burned. Law enforcement agencies tirelessly destroy the plantations of
drugs during Operation Black Poppy, which has been carried out annually since
2001. Due to the fact that the problem with the cultivation of narcotic plants
is partially solved, the main attention is paid to the latest trend - the abuse
of synthetic psychotropic drugs.

- Disorders caused by the use of psychoactive substances affect both the
health of society and socio-economic development. How does Uzbekistan address
the issue of improving specialized resuscitative care in drug treatment
facilities?

- It is extremely important for people who use drugs and their families
to know that there is always quality and affordable medical care nearby. In
February 2018, the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia, in its Tashkent
office, delivered resuscitation equipment to the narcological dispensaries of
Jizzakh, Ferghana, Navoi and Khorezm regions. The event is part of the global
initiative “Treatnet II – Treatment of Drug Addiction and Its Consequences for
Health”, implemented in 20 countries in four regions across the world,
including Central Asia. The initiative is funded by the US State Department
Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

This initiative is one of the key UNODC schemes in the field of drug
dependence treatment. It is aimed at ensuring the availability of treatment and
rehabilitation services based on scientific evidence, capacity building and
expanding the types of assistance provided. UNODC activities in Uzbekistan have
helped to expand access to drug treatment, making it more accessible.

- What, in your opinion, hinders the fight against drugs?

- One of the cooperation areas between Uzbekistan and our organization
is combating corruption to ensure security and good governance. In this regard,
I can note the need for local actions. The government’s efforts to further the
goals in consolidating the system of countering corruption as well as ensuring
human rights are strategically critical.

UNODC also advocates investments in preventive measures to combat
radicalism and extremism.

Our agency uses a mechanism of comprehensive response to problems
related to drugs and border security issues. The organization’s initiatives
enhance both national interagency coordination and regional cross-border
cooperation through the creation of border communication hubs (BCHs), port
control units, border patrols and interagency mobile groups in the Central
Asian states.

In addition, CARICC (Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination
Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic
Substances and Their Precursors) acts as an information and coordination
platform for combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances and their precursors.

- Central Asia has more than 2 thousand km of common borders with
Afghanistan. How does this affect the problem?

- Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia and borders with
all other countries in the region. This fact makes the country one of the key
participants in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and the prevention
of terrorism.

Let me cite one example. In close cooperation with the BCH located at
the Oybek checkpoint, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan
and the State Border Committee of the State Security Service of the Republic of
Uzbekistan seized 14.9 kg of heroin at the Bekabad railway station between
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, located in the Tashkent region.

The illegal substance was discovered during inspection of a transit
freight train that arrived from Tajikistan. Packed in 15 plastic bags, heroin
was hidden in metal boxes at the bottom of one of the cars. Staff of the State
Border Committee, working in the above-mentioned border hub, checked the train
and found an illegal drug. As a result, a criminal case has been opened
regarding the second part of Article 246 of the Criminal Code of the Republic
of Uzbekistan (smuggling of nuclear, chemical, biological and other types of
weapons of mass destruction and radioactive materials and equipment that can be
used in its creation, as well as narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances on a
large scale).

The BCH at the Oybek checkpoint is one of 13 border communication hubs
located on the borders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in
the framework of the Central Asia 2015-2019 Program for Counteracting Illegal
Trafficking of Drugs from Afghanistan along the Northern Route by Increasing
the Potential of Key Border Crossing Points and by Establishing a Component of
Border Communication Hubs, which is funded by the government of Japan and the
US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement
Affairs.

We are delighted to note that the issue of combating drugs in Uzbekistan
has been brought to the forefront of government policy as a priority task. That
was confirmed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a meeting with Yuri
Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The Uzbek leader stressed that peace, prosperity and human interests are at the
heart of reforms implemented in the country. In the meantime, the parties
agreed to devise a roadmap for bilateral cooperation. The document is to be
elaborated in accordance with national priorities defined in Uzbekistan’s
Strategy of Actions and spot specific areas in which the UNODC can provide
technical assistance to the country, particularly in promoting reforms in law
enforcement, justice, anti-corruption, healthcare.

The mechanism for the annual monitoring of the joint action plan will be
developed in accordance with the Common Roadmap of the United Nations, the
UNDAF Framework and the SDGs.

Yuri Fedotov expressed gratitude to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the support
provided by the government of Uzbekistan to the UNODC Regional Office in Central
Asia, in particular within the Program for the Central Asian States and the
Regional Program for Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

- June 26 is International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking. How do you see this day marked in Uzbekistan?

- On June 26 we will hold a press conference, and I am going to present
the World Drug Report 2018. The management of the National Information and
Analytical Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan is
expected to reveal a report on the situation with drug trafficking and
countermeasures taken in Uzbekistan.

Representatives of the ministries of public education, healthcare,
internal affairs, the State Customs Service will talk about the experience of
interaction with UNODC, as well as the main trends in countering illicit drug
trafficking and organized crime.

On the eve of the International Day, a ceremonial event will launch
interagency mobile groups to counter drug trafficking in Uzbekistan. For their
successful activity, we will transfer 30 cars, bulletproof vests and other
special equipment to the law enforcement bodies of the country.